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  • Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day

    Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day

    Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 【Itinerary】Hotel 8:00 Start→Arakurayama Sengen Park→Lake Kawaguchi→(Lunch: Tsujiya, Asakawa, Fujikawaguchiko Town)→Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum→Oshino Hakkai→Lake Kawaguchi→Hotel 19:00 Arrival

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The day started cloudy from the morning, so I was worried about whether Mount Fuji would be visible, but at the site we were able to see the summit of Mount Fuji from time to time through gaps in the clouds. The 398 steps at Arakurayama Sengen Park were tough, but at the top an incredible view awaited beyond expectations. Mount Fuji, appearing occasionally beyond the five-story pagoda, had a faint dusting of snow on its peak, making it very photogenic. For lunch we ate Japanese food at a restaurant by the lakeside. The guests had hearty appetites, ordering five meals for four and finishing everything. They had hoto noodles, grilled eel over rice, an assortment of tempura, shrimp tempura, sansai soba, and beer. At the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, magnificent roses were in bloom throughout the grounds. The mechanical music boxes and automated clocks produced wonderful sounds. Also, the statue of Salvador Dalí's rhinoceros 🦏 was breathtaking. Oshino Hakkai, being one of the component sites of the World Cultural Heritage, was full of tourists despite it being a weekday. On the way back we took a train from Kawaguchiko Station and returned to the Hotel at 19:00, one hour later than planned. Lessons Learned: The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. The family bond was strong, and it was pleasant to see the way they respected one another. Even though some of the group tended to run over on time from place to place, the others watched over them warmly and never criticized. One of the group was very devoted to taking photos, capturing videos and pictures everywhere as if determined not to miss a single thing. Eventually the memory card apparently filled up, and I was surprised to be asked to take them to some electronics store to buy a new memory card. However, due to poor transport access, this could not be arranged.

    Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShiomi～Shimoyoshida Station4,290JPY
    Section 2TrainShimoyoshida Station～Lake Kawaguchi310JPY
    Section 3BusLake Kawaguchi～Music Forest Museum440JPY
    Section 4BusMusic Forest Museum～Oshino Hakkai1,060JPY
    Section 5BusOshino Hakkai～Lake Kawaguchi630JPY
    Section 6TrainLake Kawaguchi～Shiomi4,480JPY
    Total11,210JPY

    Tour Report by taka

    National Licensed Tour Guide since 2016
    A Chairman of Hakone Guide Association (HGA)
    keep getting TripAdvisor 5 Stars above 50% in average
    Japan Guide Awarded in 2025 – Engagements
    Tokyo where traditional and modern are well blended beautiful city
    Hakone where is famous for volcanos and natural hot springs in addition to Lake Ashi/Hakone Shrine/ Open-Air Museum/Hakone Museum of Arts
    Kamakura where is 800 years old capital of Japan established by Samurai/Sword warriors
    Mt.Fuji, where is a UNESCO’s world heritage site, can be visited the fifth station by car

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    Jun 15, 2026
    Ssolstice78
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great walking tour
    Taka did a wonderful job. He targeted the tour…

    May 27, 2026
    Dan_J
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Great
    Taka was simply the best. We enjoyed our day…

    May 17, 2026
    Christine G
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderfulexperience
    Taka was an excellent guide. Our experience in Tokyo…

    Apr 17, 2026
    Dennis_L
    Viator review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Grest tour experience in tokyo
    The tour was…

  • Kyoto in One Day: To Kinkakuji by bus 230yen & At Gion

    Kyoto in One Day: To Kinkakuji by bus 230yen & At Gion

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Hotel pick up near the Kyoto station
    • 12:05-12:45 To Kinkakuji by bus 230yen
    • 12:50-13:50 At Kinkakuji
    • 13:55-14:10 To Enmachi JR station by bus 230 yen
    • 14:15-14:25 To Sagaarashiyama by JR 190yen
    • 14:30-16:00 At Arashiyama(bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine,Tohetsukyou,others)
    • 16:00-16:25 To Kyoto station By JR 240yen
    • 16:40-16:50 To Inari station by JR 150 yen
    • 16:50-17:25 At Fushimiinari
    • 17:30-17:40 To Gion shijyou by Keihan train 220yen
    • 17:45-18:05 At Gion
    • 18:05-18:10 At Shijyou kawaramachi -Finish the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Using Public Transport and a JR Pass Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. Based on the destinations they had told me in advance, we moved around entirely using public transportation. As they walked at a brisk pace, we were able to visit the sites efficiently. They mentioned that they held a JR Pass, so I planned our movements to make use of JR lines as much as possible. Along the way, we talked about the cultural differences between North America, Asia, and Japan, and had an enjoyable time walking together. The guests were staying in accommodation in Tokyo, came from Tokyo today, and planned to return to Tokyo in the evening.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 2BusKinkakuji-michi～Enmachi230JPY
    Section 3TrainEnmachi～Saga-Arashiyama190JPY
    Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Kyoto240JPY
    Section 5TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 6TrainFushimi-Inari～Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Total1,260JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    Hi, every one. How have you been? I am JGA tour guide Kazu. It is my great pleasure that I can introduce myself here. I am already more than 70 years old, but I believe I am still young both mentally and physically. I like walking with my customers very much. I am from Tokyo, but now

    I live in Kyoto traditional city and an old capital of Japan. I had worked at electric manufacturing company for more than 40 years. While I was working at that company, fortunately I had a lot of chances to visit many foreign countries.

    I lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. Also I visited America, Britain, and other countries. Basically I used English to proceed my job there, however I always tried to speak local languages as much as possible. Through staying other countries, I found that there were great differences of the culture or the way of thinking between those countries and Japan. I though I had a valuable experience. After I retired from the company 5 years ago, I began to work as a tour guide although I got the National English tour guide license 7 years ago. Besides English I speak Spanish but I don’t have Spanish tour guide license yet. I belong to the comany JGA and worked around 10 days a month. So far I accompanied with mu customers more than 100 groups. All of my tour was good and lucky as I was always favored with gentle and kind customers.

    My hobby is playing the guitar, dancing and learning foreign languages. I sometimes join the concert by playing the guitar, and it is fun for me. Though I like dancing, I can not dance well. I only enjoy dancing here in Japan.

    About the tour in Japan, I usually take my tourists to the famous spots in Kyoto like Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi inari, Gion area,Nishiki market and Arashiyama area. In Arashiyama area we often visit Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine,Togetsukyou bridge and Kimono forest. I will cope with my customers demands as much as possible so that I try to visit any places up to your requests.

    I welcome a lot for your coming to Japan. and if possible I would like to help you to visit various kind of spots in Japan especially in Kyoto. JGA is very flexible company so that I have a confidence that you will be satisfied with our attitude and hospitality. I am glad that many of my customers told that it was so nice to travel around Japan. We will and I will expect you come down to Japan any time and we are ready to help your memorable trip in Japan. I can not wait!

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    Sep 26, 2025
    kaylah199
    Amazing tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kazu was extraordinary! He planned a wonderful day for…

    Jul 30, 2024
    Venture826497
    Great time in Kyoto!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My daughter and I had an amazing time…

    Jul 8, 2024
    233vickies
    6 hour Kyoto tour with Kazu
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
    We had…

    Jun 21, 2024
    Hoc_N
    A fascinating experience in Kyoto we won’t forget
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The most memorable parts…

  • Tokyo: The Peninsula Tokyo & 0 PARCO 6F

    Tokyo: The Peninsula Tokyo & 0 PARCO 6F

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 The Peninsula Tokyo
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:50 Takeshita Street
    • 12:30 Sensoji Temple
    • 13:45 Lunch @ Owariya
    • 14:40 Water Bus
    • 15:30 Odaiba Seaside Park
    • 16:05 Shibuya Scramble Crossing (from car window)
    • 16:010 PARCO 6F
    • 16:50 Disband

    Title: What Is a Private Family Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Although replies to the pre-tour emails were slow to arrive and the itinerary was changed several times, agreement was finally reached the day before the tour. Before the tour, the only information available about the guests was the party size, but they turned out to be a group visiting Japan. They had traveled to Japan via Europe, so I was a little concerned about their well-being, but I made sure water was purchased and, since we used a private vehicle, there was relatively little walking under the blazing sun, so we were able to finish the tour safely. From the car window I pointed out the Imperial Palace, the National Diet Building, and National Route 246, and one of the guests asked a wide range of questions and interpreted for the group. At Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Sensoji Temple, the guests listened attentively to my explanations and showed great interest. Lunch ended up being a quick lunch, but since they liked Japanese food, they enjoyed tempura. On the water bus we had fun folding origami and doing a little Japanese lesson together. At Odaiba they took many photos, and at Shibuya PARCO the guests greatly enjoyed shopping for character goods. Regarding the water bus reservation, it was difficult to have the guests purchase tickets directly online, so this time, after confirming by email that they would pay in cash, I purchased the tickets in advance myself. I apologize for not following [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/)'s rules, but having the guest and guide book separately can also lead to trouble, so I would appreciate it if the procedure for ferry reservations could be reconsidered.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1FerryAsakusa～Daiba Seaside Park2,000JPY
    Total2,000JPY

    Tour Report by Motoko

    Hi,
    Thank you for contacting the Japan Guide Association to request a licensed guide for your upcoming visit to Japan. My name is Motoko Tanaka. I’m so happy to be assigned to you.
    Let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Tokyo, so it is nice to hear that you are excited about your visit to this wonderful city. There is much to be excited about here in Tokyo. I have really enjoyed guiding in Tokyo and the surrounding areas for more than 10 years.
    I live with my husband and a dog named Alice. She was a rescue dog and I adopted her about 4 years ago. Now she is a very precious family member. I have two daughters, the elder one has a child and the younger has a aroma shop in a town near Mr. Fuji. I sometimes visit there with Alice.
    I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to create a special day.
    Regards,
    Motoko

    Request Booking

    Apr 25, 2026
    catvila
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Primeira vez em Tóquio
    A Motoko foi excelente para nos guiar pelos…

    Apr 22, 2026
    72breannaj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour highly recommend! And loved our guide
    We had an amazing…

    Apr 17, 2026
    denisemD3032GY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Tokyo/Kawagoe dep)
    Tokyo walking tour
    Our guide Motoko was so polite &…

    Apr 14, 2026
    Dennis_M
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Very nice and very…
    Very nice and very…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel→Nagamachi Samurai District stroll, Nomura Family Residence, Takada Family Residence Ruins→Matsuda Japanese Umbrella Shop→Nishi Chaya District Museum→Ninja Weapon Museum→Ninja Temple→Lunch→Omicho Market stroll→Kanazawa Castle Ruins Park stroll, Gyokusen'inmaru Garden→Kenrokuen Garden stroll→Gold Leaf Sakuda→Higashi Chaya District

    Title: What Can You See in a 6-Hour Private Kanazawa Walking and Taxi Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were very pleased that they were able to visit all the places they had wanted to see in a little over 6 hours. The tour started right after arriving at the Hotel at 8:45. At the guests' request, we went around by taxi and on foot. Starting from the Nagamachi Samurai District, we strolled through the back streets of Kanazawa and visited the Matsuda Japanese Umbrella Shop along the Sai River, the Ninja Weapon Museum, the Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, Kenrokuen Garden, and Sakuda Gold Leaf, which the guests especially enjoyed. At Sakuda, one of the guests purchased a gold leaf product worth 50,000 yen. Since the guests wanted a quick lunch, we ate Kanazawa curry at Kitchen Yuki in the basement of the M'za department store. I did not hand out a review form, but the guests enjoyed the tour so much that they said they wanted to leave a review themselves.

    Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Masayo

    Hello.
    My name is Masayo Shirai.
    I have been a national licensed tour guide of English since April in 2014.
    I was born. raised, and still living near the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa.
    I have guided lots of foreign guests in my hometown Kanazawa, Gokayama, Shirakawago, Takaymam, Kaga, Fukui, and Toyama.
    I have guided FIT, highend FIT, group tour, and bus tours.
    I have been learning tea cemoney, flower arrangement, and noh performance of noh chanting and playing the hand drum.
    I can take you to the experience spot of such traditional cultural spots in my hometown, Kanazawa,

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    Oct 5, 2025
    L
    LightPacker147788
    Kanazawa visit
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very interesting tour with Masayo. She took us…

    Jun 27, 2025
    H6092PZsuem
    Pleasant and interesting morning
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Masayo was our guide for the morning.…

    Mar 16, 2025
    952bonnieh
    Wonderful!!!
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We loved our time with Masayo! Thank you for a…

    Jan 3, 2025
    U5110ZKjades
    A day in Kanazawa with Masayo!
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Masayo Shirai was an excellent…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:30 : Hotel pickup
    • 2. 09:00 : Nijo Castle
    • 3: 11:00 : Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 4: 12:20 : Kyoto Dining (Indian restaurant near Kinkaku-ji)
    • 5. 13:15 : Kinkaku-ji
    • 6. 14:50 : Arashiyama Bamboo Grove + Nonomiya Shrine
    • 7. 16:20 : Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 8. 17:40 : Gion Kobu (Hanamikoji, Ichiriki Chaya, Kaburenjo Theater, etc.)
    • 9. 18:15 : Dismissal (on Hanamikoji street)

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Gion and Historic Culture Body: The guests were a family visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They were great fans of Japan, drawn in particular to Japanese history and culture such as Buddhism, Shinto, and the way of the samurai, as well as to the country's advanced IT technology culture. Throughout the visit, they eagerly took photographs at each destination, while also asking questions that included topics on modern Japanese politics. They were especially delighted to be able to photograph a total of four geiko and maiko on the street at Hanamikoji in the Gion district, which they had requested as their final destination. Due to time constraints and the guests' own wishes, after giving them verbal guidance toward the downtown area, we exchanged smiles and handshakes on Hanamikoji and said our farewells.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShichijo Nishinotoin～Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Section 2BusKarasuma Imadegawa～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 3TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Inari240JPY
    Section 4TrainFushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Total920JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Born, raised and married in Kyoto, I am Masaaki Tanaka started English-speaking licensed guide since 2008, guiding mostly those English-speaking inbound tourists in Kyoto, which is my home base, and in Osaka (where I woked so long time until my retirment) and Nara and in other Kansai areas incl. Kobe, Koyasan, etc. If allowed, I can say I am somewhat experinced in Japanese history (especially in its culture). When young, I lived and worked for some 11 years in the Middle East, which areas, accordingly, I am still quite familiar to . My hobby includes : seeing Noh Play and Kabuki, hearing Musics in general (Beethoven, Beatles, Jazz & Rock’n Rolls as well as Japanese classicals), seeing the paintings/artworks in general, playing the piano (all time at beginner’s level, though), playing the guitar and, when younger, I enjoyed skiing and business golf. Also, I am, since my childhoo, a great fan of Tigers in Japan’s pro-base ball. I love cats (keeping now an old female ‘Chee’ chan) , and certainly my wife Tokuko as well.

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    Jul 30, 2026
    amydJ3030YT
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Kyoto tour with a licensed guide and separate driver…

    Mar 20, 2026
    moisessG5827VE
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaaki Tanaka was the best tour guide ever!
    Masaaki Tanaka was an…

    Jun 16, 2025
    896nataliex
    Amazing Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaaki, was an excellent tour guide and wealth of knowledge…

    Apr 23, 2025
    Simon S
    Enjoyable and informative
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Osaka with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    The service was friendly…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Park & Miyajima

    Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Park & Miyajima

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ Hiroshima Station
    • 10:20 Peace Park
    • 11:00 Atomic Bomb Museum
    • 12:15 Okonomiyaki lunch
    • 14:00 Miyajima
    • 16:30 Disband @ Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip From Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a very close-knit group, and it was heartwarming to see how friendly and outgoing they were. However, they mentioned they were quite tired from consecutive days of touring, and requested to return to Kyoto before it got too late. Even so, they asked many questions during the tour and viewed the Atomic Bomb Museum with great interest. They were delighted with the okonomiyaki for lunch and finished every bite. In Miyajima, they enjoyed lemon soda and momiji manju. I guided them through only the highlights while keeping walking distances as short as possible. They said it was a very efficient and wonderful tour.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit～Genbaku Dome-mae220JPY
    Section 2TrainHondori Station～Shin-Hakushima Station190JPY
    Section 3TrainShin-Hakushima Station～Miyajimaguchi Station330JPY
    Section 4TrainMiyajimaguchi Station～Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total1,160JPY

    Tour Report by Yuko

    Hello! My name is Yuko, and I am delighted to be your guide.

    I currently work as a tour guide in both Tokyo and Hiroshima, two cities that represent very different yet equally fascinating sides of Japan. This unique perspective allows me to share not only famous landmarks, but also the culture, history, and everyday life that make each place special.

    I truly believe that guiding is my calling. For every tour, I focus on creating a personal, authentic, and memorable experience tailored to your interests. Whether we explore Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods or Hiroshima’s rich history and warm local culture, I want you to leave with a deeper understanding of Japan and meaningful memories of your journey.

    I enjoy meeting travelers from around the world and helping them discover hidden stories and local perspectives that are often missed in guidebooks.

    Once you have booked a tour with me, please feel free to reach out via email or WhatsApp so I can send you a suggested itinerary. I look forward to meeting you!

    Request Booking

    May 31, 2026
    Rajen14
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Moving and informative day in a historic city with a…

    May 14, 2026
    Natasa_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima with Yuko 🙂
    Yuko was a fantastic guide, outstanding…

    Apr 20, 2026
    Victoria R
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful personal tour with Yuko
    Yuko is very…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima/Miyajima tour
    Yuko guided us in Hiroshima and Miyajima…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Park & Miyajima

    Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Park & Miyajima

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • Take the streetcar to Peace Park
    • 10:30–11:30 Peace Park
    • 11:30–12:40 Peace Memorial Museum
    • Take a taxi to Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 13:08 Depart Nishi-Hiroshima by JR to Miyajimaguchi
    • 13:30–14:40 Okonomiyaki lunch
    • 15:00–17:30 Miyajima
    • 17:51 Depart Miyajimaguchi by JR
    • 18:30 Tour ends at Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family from North America, and they were bright and very pleasant to be with. They visited Hiroshima as a day trip from Osaka. At Peace Memorial Park, they listened intently to the story of the atomic bombing and asked many questions. On Miyajima, at a chopstick shop, each member of the group chose their favorite chopsticks and had their names engraved on them, and they were very happy, saying it made a wonderful souvenir. The lemon drink was also well received. During the Miyajima sightseeing, the group responded even more enthusiastically to Daishoin Temple than to Itsukushima Shrine. When I told them that Miyajima also has hot springs, they said they would love to come back and stay overnight next time.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Genbaku Dome-mae Station220JPY
    Section 2TrainNishi-Hiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi～Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total970JPY

    Tour Report by Nao

    Hi, I’m Nao. It’s very nice to meet you. I will be your guide in Hiroshima.
    I love travelling abroad and meeting new people, learning about new cultures and eating local food.
    Hiroshima has a lot of places to see and delicious local foods to try such as oysters, conger eel rice and I highly recommend Okonomiyaki.
    Okonomiyaki is the soul food of Hiroshima. I’d love to tell you more about its history when I finally get to meet you.
    Since I was born and raised in Hiroshima, I know all kinds of great spots to visit.
    Please feel free to tell me about any concerns or requests you may have before the tour starts.
    I look forward to seeing you in my lovely hometown Hiroshima.
    kind Regards,
    Nao

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  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour

    Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour

    Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.Meeting 10:00 Nanzenji, Yachiyo Ryokan
    • 2.10:30 @Nijo Castle
    • 3.12:00 @Kinkakuji
    • 4: 13:15 @Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 5.13:50 Lunch @Western Restaurant "Forest" Karasuma Oike Zest
    • 6.16:00 Dismissal @Nanzenji, Yachiyo Ryokan

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Taxi Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Covering the Kyoto Imperial Palace Body: I apologize for any concern caused up until the day before the tour. The day before, I received messages via a messaging app from the guests saying that a different guide would be coming and requesting to cancel the lunch restaurant reservation, which left me a bit confused. Originally, this tour was planned to cover Arashiyama, Sagano, and the bamboo grove, but since the guests had already visited Arashiyama, we followed the itinerary described above. The guests were visitors from North America, and they chose to use a taxi for the entire itinerary. They said that around 2:00 PM would be fine for lunch, and after visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace, they searched on Google themselves and selected a lunch restaurant. For lunch, I only assisted with communication with the taxi driver. In the evening, the guests were scheduled to go on a "Gion Tour" with a different guide, so I saw them off at their accommodation at 4:00 PM. I am glad they were satisfied. Thank you for your support. The tour ended without any trouble. Thank you very much.

    Click here for more details: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Shoko

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

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    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Kyoto: Nara Station & Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Nara Station & Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at Kyoto Station Central Gate
    • 8:45 Board JR rapid train bound for Nara
    • 9:35 Arrive at Nara Station
    • 10:00 Nara Park
    • 10:15 Todai-ji Temple
    • 11:35 Lunch
    • 12:30 Kofuku-ji Temple, Treasure Hall
    • 13:25 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 14:25 Naramachi, Lattice House, Koshin-do Hall
    • 15:37 Board JR rapid train bound for Kyoto
    • 14:25 Arrive at Kyoto Station, guide to subway station and tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. At home they converse in one language and speak another when they are out. We met at the agreed time and started the tour. Nara was hot that day, but the guests enjoyed the tour in good spirits. I took the photo at the restaurant where we had lunch. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Nara720JPY
    Section 2Free PassWithin Nara City～Within Nara City600JPY
    Section 3TrainNara～Kyoto720JPY
    Total2,040JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

    Request Booking

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
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    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
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    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
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    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • (10:00) Meet at JR Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Gate
    • 1. Miyajima
    • Itsukushima Shrine, Otorii Gate, Daishoin Temple, Omotesando Street
    • 2. A-bomb Dome
    • 3. Peace Memorial Park
    • Peace Bell, Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound, Children’s Peace Memorial Statue, Flame of Peace, Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims
    • 4. Peace Memorial Museum
    • 5. Hondohri .
    • (17:00) End of Tour:

    What Is a Private Tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors traveling in Japan. I found myself a little unsure about how much to ask regarding their food preferences, since dietary needs can vary greatly from one case to another, and it felt difficult to inquire about the exact level in detail. Just before the tour, I discovered that a restaurant I had recommended and shared information about in advance would be temporarily closed on the day due to staffing shortages, which caused a moment of panic, but I was relieved to manage to book another restaurant. The guests were interested not only in sightseeing but also in Japanese society in general, and by answering their questions I gained many insights myself. They very much enjoyed Miyajima. It was also memorable how earnestly they viewed the atomic bomb-related sites in the city of Hiroshima, and how deeply moved and pained they were by them.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station～Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Total750JPY

    Tour Report by Emmy

    Hi, nice to meet you! I am Emmy. I am so honored and happy to be your guide.
    I had been teaching at a local university in Hiroshima. After I got retired in March 2023, I started guiding. I was born and raised in Hiroshima. I love communicating with people all over the world more than anything, so I have been involved in home visit, homestay, volunteer guide for people from foreign countries.
    I always hope that our guests will take away lots of positive energy from Hiroshima, a city that was resilient and revived like a phoenix, in spite of its sad history.
    While realizing customers’ wishes, I will introduce you the beauty of Hiroshima, Miyajima and so on, which are tranquil and peaceful places with a unique charm that cannot be found in big cities.
    I am happy to answer any questions about things Japanese.
    I look forward to meeting you in person soon!!

    Request Booking

    Jul 3, 2026
    715rachnak
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Such a great experience in Hiroshima and Miyajima!
    We…

    Jul 2, 2026
    Janine_P
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Worth the money!
    From the moment we booked our…

    May 7, 2026
    Diane_F
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour and guide
    Our tour guide Emmy was…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Curious613511
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    We did a 4 hour walking tour through Hiroshima where…